Pakistan sends rescue teams, goods to assist earthquake-hit Türkiye, Syria

ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Tuesday said that Pakistan is ready to provide all needed assistance to brotherly Türkiye and Syria in view of the horrific earthquake that claimed over 5,000 lives so far besides causing destruction over a vast swath of land.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Army and Recue 1122 sent separate team for boost the rescue and relief operation in the quake-hit areas of Turkiye and Syria.

Taking to NDMA’s twitter handle, NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik wrote: “The NDMA dispatched humanitarian assistance to the earthquake-hit Türkiye through PAF C-130 aircraft from Nur Khan Air Base on special directions of PM.”

“Chairman NDMA Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik sent off an emergency relief consignment that included winterized tents and blankets along with the search & rescue team of the Pakistan Army”, the NDMA tweeted.

It added that additional supplies had also been gathered and would be sent off after developing need-based damage assessments and evaluations by NDMA & AFAD.

PM sets up relief fund for quake-hit Turkiye

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday set up a relief fund to help earthquake-hit people of Turkiye, appealing the people, particularly businessmen and philanthropists, to donate generously for the purpose.

The decision was taken in the meeting of the Federal Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which expressed condolences over the hundreds of quake-caused deaths in Turkiye and Syria, and offered Fateha for the departed souls.

The Federal Cabinet announced to donate one month salary to the relief fund. It was also decided that the Federal Government employees of grade 18 to 22 would donate one day salary for the distressed Turkish people.

The Prime Minister told the Cabinet members that Turkiye had been at forefront to support the people of Pakistan after unprecedented floods hit the country in 2022.

“The Pakistani nation would not leave their Turkish brethrens alone in this hour of ordeal. I am also leaving for Turkiye by Wednesday to visit the quake-ravaged areas of Turkiye,” he said.

He told the Cabinet members that besides relief goods, the rescue teams were immediately dispatched for Turkiye to support the relief activities.

He assured that Pakistan would extend every possible support to the people of Turkiye and Syria as the whole Pakistani nation stood by the suffering people.

The Cabinet meeting offered Fateha for peace of the departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

Pakistan Army sends relief teams to Turkiye

Pakistan Army dispatched two contingents to Turkiye for relief efforts after devastating earthquakes hit Turkiye and Syria, killing over 5,000 and damaging more than 5,000 buildings.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said “two contingents — Urban Search & Rescue Team comprising rescue experts, sniffer dogs, search equipment and a medical team comprising Army doctors, nursing staff and technicians along with 30 bed field hospital, tentage, blankets and other relief items — were dispatched to Adana, Turkiye via special aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

The teams, which have been sent on the instructions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, will undertake relief efforts for Turkish people while working in close coordination with the Turkish government, armed forces and their embassy in Islamabad. The contingents will stay there till the completion of relief and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, services chiefs and armed forces of Pakistan offered their deepest empathy and condolences to the earthquake victims in Turkiye.

“People and armed forces of Pakistan stand with our Turk brethren and offer all available support in this hour of need,” the ISPR statement reads.

Rescue 1122 team leaves for Turkiye

A 52-member team of Punjab Rescue 1122 departed for Turkiye Tuesday on the directives of caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to facilitate the rescue and relief operation in the brotherly country underway following the horrific earthquake that wreaked havoc in Turkiye and Syria.

The team departed through a PIA flight and is being led by Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer for the rescue and relief operation in earthquake devastated in Turkiye. The team consists of a search squad, two technical rescue squads and a six-member rope rescue team. A seven-member medical team will also accompany the rescue team.

 

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